Regina Gwynn

Better Consumer Experiences in Everything... “We pride ourselves on being stridently anti-thematic, seeking out founders with bold, unexpected visions. From a black car dispatch service that became Uber to a Groupon-for-Korea idea that evolved into Coupang, a $30B ecommerce powerhouse, the best ideas often defy categories in their earliest days. We don’t know what category will be hot in 2025, but delightful consumer experiences are becoming a premium in an increasingly noisy world. People are demanding fewer, better experiences in everything from healthcare to content and media. For example, Suno transforms a few words into musical compositions made just for you. Whether mundane or magical, we plan to back ideas that turn the unexpected into essential experiences.” — Amanda Herson, General Partner, Founder Collective Thanks Maren Bannon and Forbes for a great topic with excellent curation ;) https://lnkd.in/ePgTvgvW

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Today marks a groundbreaking moment for BLCK VC and our fellow collaborators—Diversity VC, All Raise, 2Gether-International, SomosVC, StartOut, and VetsinTech—as we proudly announce the launch of the Diversity Data Alliance. This important alliance underscores our unwavering commitment to nurturing a venture capital and entrepreneurial ecosystem abundant in equity and inclusiveness. By standardizing and linking our data, we empower ourselves with the essential tools to track deeper trends that have, until now, eluded us to identify and fill funding gaps for historically excluded investors, founders, and operators. We can’t change what we do not measure, and now with the Diversity Data Alliance, we're now equipped to do both. Join us in this mission. Learn more and get involved: https://lnkd.in/eEZKdrac #DiversityDataAlliance #BLCKVC #VentureCapital #MeasureToChange

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Great time on the Embracing Erosion podcast w/Devon O'Rourke! We talked about: 🚀 How to scale a company from concept to 9-figure exit 🔄 How to break away from the traditional consulting model and apply product approaches ⏩ Why it’s important to iterate quickly and often with messaging 💸📈What signals are important to pay attention to when investing in startups and much more!

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🚨 This is it – The Final Push! 🚨 We’re down to the wire, and your vote could be the one that helps Ferna Tech take the stage at SXSW London 2025! Our panel, “A $16M Blueprint: How Black Founders Can Raise Smart Capital, Drive Culture & Go from Founder to Funded,” is more than a conversation—it’s a movement. It’s about reshaping the narrative, opening doors, and creating actionable pathways for underrepresented founders to thrive. This is your chance to make a statement: → That representation matters → That excellence against all odds deserves a global stage → That community-driven progress is the future 🔗 Vote here: https://lnkd.in/dHQzFMav 👇🏽 How to vote: 📹 #fernatech #sxsw #voteferna #fernafounders #blacktech #founders #venturestudio #AfroTech #Community #innovation

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Don't miss the Apparel Impact Institute 2023 Impact Report. We’ve set the ambitious goals of enabling the reduction of 100 Mt of CO2e from the apparel supply chain and unlocking $2 billion in capital by 2030, and as you’ll see in this report, last year was a time of significant progress toward these milestones. We: * Expanded the reach of our Climate Action Approach to 31 regions and completed carbon reduction projects with 300 producers. Unlocked $37,951,454 in blended capital. * Deployed our first Climate Solutions Portfolio grants. The five awarded solutions are forecasted, on average, to save 1,922.2 tCO2e per producer, per year. A more in-depth update on the grantees and their progress is available in the next section of this newsletter. * Nearly quadrupled our GHG emissions reductions over useful life in 2023 (1,676,078.77 tonnes CO2e) as compared to 2022 (475,279.50 tonnes CO2e). * Remained affordable: The average cost of Aii-driven solutions came in at just under $23 per tCO2e. As always, I express my gratitude to the Aii team as well as our partners and supporters for your steadfast commitment to strategically executing this crucial work. These achievements underscore the strength of collaboration in addressing the most pressing environmental challenges facing the apparel and footwear industry. While the fight to decarbonize apparel and footwear is far from over, we are encouraged by our 2023 results and look forward to continuing to decarbonize the industry - together. https://lnkd.in/gt8pi3sz

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Great article on the founder-investor relationship—one that’s so critical to the success of any venture. Tough times are inevitable, and the true strength of a founder-investor partnership isn’t measured during the good times, but in how both sides show up when things go wrong. These moments test trust, alignment, and shared resilience. As founders, we’re expected to lead our teams through crises, rally, adapt, and navigate the storm. The best investors also show the same level of leadership and step up during challenging moments, offering guidance, empathy, and actionable solutions. It’s a collaborative effort, and I’ve been fortunate to witness how impactful it can be when investors show true leadership. One way to ensure this is to work with investors who’ve been in your shoes before—there’s nothing quite like operator investors to bring valuable perspective and support when it matters most.

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💜 Hue. has been awarded a $150K equity-free grant from the Google for Startups Founders Fund! 🎉 Funding Black founders is crucial, here’s why ⬇ I recently spoke with a founder—let’s call him David—who needed fundraising advice. David’s startup is gaining traction, and he’s been advised to raise a #friendsandfamilyround to boost product development. Sadly, he feels discouraged. David is the first in his family to graduate college, and at 21, he earned more than anyone else in his family in his entry-level job. Now in their late twenties, him and his friends are still in their growth era and don’t have extra cash to invest. David feels stuck. 🚫 His network can’t fund his venture, and he has too little traction to raise a formal round. This is a common experience for many underrepresented founders—Black, Latino, low-income, women, and more. ✨ Grant programs like the Google for Startups Founders Fund provide essential capital to level the playing field. ✨ The Hue team is incredibly grateful for Google’s support for underrepresented founders and its commitment to uplifting startups pushing boundaries in AI. ❓ Does David’s experience resonate with you? Have you raised a friends and family round? What advice would you give other founders? ❓ Comment below ⬇ Check out to the other Black & Latino founders in my Google for Founders cohort! Sherisse Hawkins Nana Wilberforce Ph.D Seke Ballard Megan Nunes Manny S. Kene Anoliefo Tiffany Ricks George Holmes, PhD Rocio Frej Vitalle Rocio Frej Vitalle Florian Pestoni Darren Riley Eitan Winer Darryl Keeton Constanza Gomez Sergio Suarez Jr. Gerald Kierce Iturrioz #GoogleForStartups #FoundersFund #poweredbyhue #beautymarketing #huecommunity #hiring #fundraising

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My amazing cousin, Cleven Ticeson (https://lnkd.in/gWis4xX6) , a 14 time Emmy award winning producer for KCTS9 in Seattle, is a hero of mine. I grew up watching the educational shows like Bill Nye and the performing arts they would showcase. He was following the work I have been doing de-siloing the Black professional class working in venture scale entrepreneurship in the Pacific Northwest and composed a news reel covering Dreamward Group that moved me not only because he is my hyper-talented and dear cousin but because it voiced and gave me the perspective of the decades that what we’re building has been missing from the mass culture and my culture. Lewis Rudd once told me that the hardest target to hit is an invisible one and my dear cousin hit me right in the heart by speaking in his video about the unseen, but nonetheless felt, absence of inclusive capitalization of startups. Felt by the generation of Black people that watched the tech industry grow not only painting Black technologists and Black founders out of the heroic saga of tech, but Black funders as well. I am so glad that Dreamward Group is able to paint the target and make it visible through our work. Venture Capital, the financial backing of the tech industry, just like tech itself, had an evolution with foundational moments in the 70s on Sand Hill Road in Silicon Valley yet it’s mechanics, drama, and operation are largely unknown to the public that isn’t working in tech entrepreneurship. It’s trajectory and heights of accomplishment with Andreessen Horowitz and Madrona Ventures are parallel and analogous to Google and Amazon…But only the later two brands are household names to people outside of the industry. The world knows the story of Black people being excluded from Tech, It knows the story of Black people being excluded from executive leadership. It experienced the Obama administration and the depravity of the Trump backlash and had to ask itself why it had actively or passively participated in writing off Black professionals. Some of the world hears of Black founders getting less than 2% of invested capital, but even on hearing that, they don’t know the story of Black people being excluded from the role of deciding which startups get funded using a yet third party’s (often their own government’s) money…That is the story of Venture Capital today, and that’s what Dreamward is changing for the future.

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Join us for an insightful conversation with Malindi and Zacky, the founders of The Florienta App, a groundbreaking platform designed to connect Black hair stylists with clients seeking their expertise. In this video, Malindi and Zacky delve into the core problem their app addresses: the lack of visibility and accessibility of Black hair care professionals in the UK. Discover how The Florienta App is revolutionizing the industry by providing a dedicated space for this underserved market. #TheFlorientaApp #BlackHairCare #HairStylists #UK #AfroHair #BlackOwnedBusiness #SupportBlackBusinesses #Entrepreneur #Innovation #Community #Accessibility #RepresentationMatters #HairCommunity #NaturalHair #BlackHair #HairGoals

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I just wrapped up a panel with the Marketing Leadership affinity group within the How Women Invest community with my hero Auntie Nancy Hayes, aka the Yoda of board membership, angel investing, and general badassery. We talked about different ways to serve on boards, a role in which experienced Marketers seem to be often underrepresented. Why? If I had to guess, I'd say: 1 - Most heads of marketing are women 2 - marketing is undervalued, especially under sales/revenue experience 3—Compound the first two with the messages you tell yourself about your own worthiness, and suddenly, you're a great marketer for everyone else but yourself. ___________ For those who are interested in getting closer or into the board room, there are so many ways to start/get experience: 1—Board Observer (one of my current board roles)—you represent the investor but have no votes. It is unpaid, but/and hugely essential to act as a bridge of visibility and communication between the fund you've invested with and the company in which the fund has invested. My role brings value to both sides with much less bias than the other VC board seats. 2—Corporate board director—There is much governance but not much influence on the product, as the company usually has big enough teams for that. There is a lot of hiring/firing CEOs (read: drama), which can still be fun, especially for those fresh-popcorn-in-my-bag swag kinda folks (both grossly generalizing and way understating this role's fiduciary importance, but you get the idea). 3—Independent board director—this is another of my favorite places to sit. It is much like the Board observer role but with voting rights and equity (although not always, as these terms are negotiated and influenced by the shareholding board seats). You are NOT representing a VC fund (typically), but you might have subject matter expertise in the product or are a generalist boss gal like myself and bring a sense of neutrality and balance to the board. 4—Advisor. Advisors are similar to IBD in terms of influence and type of advice but are not part of the board or its meetings. This role is usually paid in some combination of equity and cash. It's another of my faves. (Are you seeing the trend here?) We have not even touched non-profit boards (where I got my start and am currently sitting on my sixth), but we will save it for next time as it's a whole 'nother Oprah. If you want to learn more, How Women Lead is hosting its 5th annual #getonboard week, starting October 21. Hybrid virtual and in-person. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/diizwv8j #womeninleadership #boardofdirectors #howwomenlead #governance #boarddiversity #corporategovernance #boardservice #businessleadership #leadership Julie Candelon Susan Greenwood Schroeder Mikayla Ludwig

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Calling Founders: My friends Khari Austin-Rawls and Sydney Robertson over at Harvard Business School just opened applications for the Black New Venture Competition (BNVC)! BNVC is dedicated to connecting promising early-stage Black founders with the resources needed to transform their ventures into thriving businesses. Winners will receive over $200K in non-dilutive funding, along with access to an incredible network of mentors and investors.   Applications close on Monday, November 11th, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.   Who Should Apply? They encourage applications from Black founders or startups with Black co-founders whose ventures:   - Have a proven minimum viable product (MVP) - Are in the early stages (Pre-seed – Seed) - Have been operating for less than 5 years - Have raised less than $500K in funding - Have not previously received funding from competition sponsors   What Winners Receive:   1. Community & Engagement: Access to a strong network of BNVC alumni, along with tactical resources to drive startup success. 2. Access to Investors: Private networking events with angel investors and VC sponsors. 3. VC Mentorship & HBS Resources: New this year! Semifinalists will receive mentorship from venture capitalists and educational programming from HBS faculty.   Learn more and start your application at  https://lnkd.in/eQ5RWwDN  

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NY friends! Please come see me at Tech Day on my panel discussing the future of the NY tech ecosystem and what I hope to bring to it!

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If you believe that #Diversity and #Inclusion matter, specifically in times like this, join us on October 30th. We will discuss the challenges and success stories of promoting Diversity in 2024. With me you will find industry leaders who were able to pull it off (!) 💥💥💥 Dorit Dor, Hasan Abasi, Vered Raviv Schwarz, Gal Shaul Guesty, Augury, HAAT Delivery, Check Point Software Power in Diversity Glilot Capital Partners Poalim Tech, Meitar | Law Offices, ESOP - Phoenix, Microsoft, Calcalist כלכליסט #nomatterwhat

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Culture is code. What does it mean to you? Comment below! In my latest #podcast episode with Brian R. Yurachek, CEO of New York Culture Club™ and new addition to the Beyond Form portfolio, we discuss the how fashion IoT and the experiences wrapped around the tech can create a new way of connecting between consumers and brands: 1️⃣ The Power of Authentic Self-Expression: success is rooted in the ability to authentically express passions and ideas, even when facing challenges. By being genuine, Brian has been able to connect with people and build strong relationships within the #fashion industry. Not an easy task as Brian tell us how he left his job in banking on Wall Street to enter this very opaque industry. 2️⃣ The Value of Continuous Learning: Brian emphasises the importance of ongoing learning and research. He actively seeks out new information and trends, which has allowed him to stay ahead of the curve and develop innovative solutions to foster human connection. 3️⃣ The Potential of Technology to Enhance Experiences: NYCC's IoT and #blockchain #technology, can be used to enhance consumer experiences and create new value propositions. This means improving product authentication, storytelling, and customer engagement. 🎧 Listen here https://lnkd.in/eayMQ4V9 or on your fave podcast platform. #FashionTech

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How are VC Firms overlooking Black talent? In a study published in July 2024, Columbia Business School Professor Emmanuel Yimfor examines the funding gap for Black-founded startups and offers solutions to bridge it. -Only 3.47% of founders seeking VC funding are Black, raising just a third of what non-Black founders raise. Systemic barriers persist, with VCs often relying on narrow criteria like Ivy League degrees or prior startup experience. -Research by Professor Emmanuel Yimfor shows that Black-led investment teams can narrow the funding gap by nearly 50%. Black investors often recognise overlooked potential, breaking free from traditional biases. To bridge the gap, VC firms must diversify decision-makers and rethink rigid criteria. Representation and equity drive innovation. Visit our website to join us on the journey to empower, invest, and drive change https://bit.ly/3Uyc79s   Read more about the study https://bit.ly/4fCvcA9 #BlackGlobalTrust #BlackBusinesses #InclusiveGrowth #SocialImpact #Empowerment #InvestInChange #Entrepreneurship #SocialCapital #VentureFunding #FundingEquity #BlackEntrepreneurs #VentureCapital #Innovation

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These insightful founders' observations highlight that TCA VG provides entrepreneurs with high level of added value compared to other angel investors and groups. This substantiated by their IRR.

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Even in a challenging funding market, venture capital funding continues to expand globally, as detailed in this TechCrunch article - featuring Endeavor CEO Linda Rottenberg. From the article: "Venture capital has become a more global industry as the tech sector slowly decentralizes. In 2022, more than 50% of VC deployed globally was invested in startups outside the U.S., according to data available from the National Science Foundation (NSF) — a stark contrast to 20 years ago, when nearly 80% of the world’s venture capital went into U.S. companies." Obviously, great ideas paired with great businesses are not limited to the Bay Area. However, historically, funding has been focused there. It is encouraging to see early and growth stage capital markets begin to deepen even further around the globe. Endeavor Colorado is grateful to be playing a part. Zeb King Tegan Stanbach Kathryn Dickson #privateequity #venturecapital #entrepreneurship #investing #innovation #founders #startups https://lnkd.in/gXtw4s6e

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🌏 The Atlas Capital & Climate Tech Coalition & Djoann Fal on The Canvas Global, Inc. and their search for "the next Tesla". "Why did we invest in them? A New York-based company, The Canvas Global, Inc. is a leading authority in the ethical fashion market. They have created different marketplaces around the world as well as an ethical fashion community that helps lower the barriers of entry for independent brands. Since its incorporation, it has united, accelerated, and distributed more than 180 fashion brands. Its mission also aligns with Atlas Capital’s mission as it is recognized by the UN as a sustainable fashion startup leader. In the future, the Canvas Global plans to expand into the EU and SEA region, where a huge amount of fashion manufacturing is currently based, hence we see here a large potential to contribute to decarbonizing the fashion industry." Steff Vermeesch Weston Murphy Derek Stewart https://lnkd.in/e4aCfAya

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Today, Two Chairs announces $72M of new funding to continue building a world where everyone has access to exceptional mental health care. Since late 2017, when Maveron led the Two Chairs Series A, the need for mental health services has grown considerably as our society has become lonelier and more isolated than ever. At the same time, our culture’s willingness to openly acknowledge these challenges is greater than ever. Sadly, the rapid growth of Two Chairs affirms the fact that our society is in desperate need of better mental health support. Two Chairs has built a business that believes clinical quality is the defining characteristic of success. Alex Katz has always emphasized the paramountcy of measurement-based clinical outcomes, which the team works tirelessly to achieve. In the process, Two Chairs has illustrated that embracing the ‘move fast and break things’ mentality doesn’t always work. Instead, Two Chairs opted for a different approach: they went slow to go fast. They built a proprietary algorithm that matches patients with the perfect therapist at the onset and hired a team of W2 clinicians oriented toward providing the highest quality care available. Even as the Two Chairs team has grown, their culture has remained small. This has enabled more intimate relationships within the team and between clients and clinicians. Reflecting on this milestone brings me back to the founding of Maveron and the values we hold dear. In 1998, my friend Howard Schultz and I founded Maveron to help entrepreneurs build companies that improve the lives of everyday people—their employees and their customers. There is perhaps no better example of this than Two Chairs. *** Thank you to TechCrunch's Marina Temkin, CFA for the great write-up. https://tcrn.ch/4aMt7yG

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